NCT07812870 Behavioral Activation for Treatment of Depression in Autistic Adolescents With Below Average Intelligence
| NCT ID | NCT07812870 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Stony Brook University |
| Condition | Autism |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 18 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-08-10 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-09 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 18 participants in total. It began in 2026-08-10 with a primary completion date of 2027-09.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by differences in social communication/interaction and the presence of restricted/repetitive behaviors, with significant heterogeneity in terms of autistic features, language ability, and cognitive characteristics. About 2-3% of individuals in the United States are autistic, and most autistic individuals have co-occurring mental health conditions. Autistic people are 3-4 times more likely to experience depression than non-autistic people. Of the emerging depression treatment research with autistic people, none to date has focused on developing and testing a depression treatment for autistic youth with below average cognitive abilities - a group which comprises over 50% of the autistic community. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the feasibility (Aim 1), acceptability (Aim 2), and preliminary treatment effects (Aim 3) of an extension of Behavioral Activation for Depression in Autistic Adolescents (BA-A), adapted to meet the needs of cognitively lower functioning autistic youth.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria * 12-17 years old * Autism diagnosis * Symptoms of depression (more specifically, Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition parent-report and/or self-report T-score ⩾ 65) * IQ 60-84 * Stable on medications for mood, anxiety, and/or behavior for 3 months * Participation of same parent(s) in all therapy sessions and assessment visits Exclusion Criteria * Participation in another psychotherapy during the study period * Imminent risk of harm to self and/or others * Bipolar disorder, a personality disorder, and/or schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder
Contact & Investigator
Michelle Menezes, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Stony Brook University
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07812870 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 12 Years or older, up to 17 Years, studying Autism. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07812870 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07812870 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at autismandneurodiversitylab@gmail.com for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07812870 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Stony Brook, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07812870 clinical trial?
NCT07812870 is sponsored by Stony Brook University. The principal investigator is Michelle Menezes, PhD at Stony Brook University. The trial plans to enroll 18 participants.